Week 3 of WedHead2Head coming at you right here. The combat sports-based scorecard of the Wednesday night wars.
After snatching a majority draw last week, can NXT pick up a win to level up the overall scorecard!
JCH, Brum and Matt are back. What did they think of this week?
Find out below!
Private Party/Lucha Bros vs Ripley/Belair
JCH:Private Party and the Lucha Bros was another fun tag but was below the Bucks match for me. Also felt a little clunky at times. Also, what is up with these tag rules. Really enjoyed Belair and Ripley. Rhea Ripley is coming across like an absolute star. Furthered the stories between Io and Rhea and Io and Candace as well. Multiple moving parts at the top of the NXT women’s division. Sadly, it will probably lead to a 4-way. I would love to see a little round robin between these 4 to provide the next challenger for Shayna. NXT takes this with comfortable 10-9 for me.
10-9 NXT
Brum: Thought Private Party v Lucha Boys was a tad sloppy in parts, I thought it was the best of AEW’s 3 spot-heavy tag matches tonight. It’s refreshing watching indie-style tag matches on weekly TV and, though AEW have become seemingly too reliant on them in their opening run, they are a fun way to spend ten/fifteen minutes. The crossing strands of the NXT Women’s division continue to be entertaining but the match wasn’t as good as AEW’s.
10-9 AEW
Matt:I just never really got into this tag match. I found the match, at the risk of sounding like a curmudgeon, a bit too flippy. That wasn't to say it was bad, but I connected far more with the Belair/Ripley effort. Both these broads went for this one and Rhea's big boots were a thing of beauty.
10-9 NXT
SCU/Dark Order feat Inner Circle vs Riddle/Grimes feat Tyler Bate
JCH:If you were one of the 4 people reading my NXT column that preceded this one, you will know I love Matt Riddle. Tonight, I thought he and Grimes had a really nice match. Riddle has so many weapons in his arsenal, you never know quite when the finish is coming, and Grimes matched him well in this one. Lovely little interaction before and after the match with Bate added something for next week. SCU vs Dark Order was fine and the Inner Circle stuff was good, with them being complete pricks and all. However, it did take away from the match, not just from me, but with the crowd as well. I would have preferred them to come out during one of the picture in picture ad breaks or something. Nearly went 10-8 due to this, but the actions of the Inner Circle and the match were just enough to keep it to 10-9
10-9 NXT. - 20-18 NXT
Brum: I used to love Super Smash Bros & was one of the few that didn’t mind the Dark Order debut. However, they’ve not really clicked in their AEW run so far & this was the weakest of the 3 AEW tag matches. In the battle of the Quick Match Guys, Riddle & Grimes went longer than expected & had a fun outing. Also, Tyler Bate will always make it hard to not give him the win.
10-9 NXT. - 19-19
Matt:I'm going NXT again here. The tag match was good, but Jericho's appearance took me out of the flow. Riddle Grimes did its job as not only does Riddle look like the star, he is but Grimes comes off as a serious competitor as he hung with him, and hit some dope moves too. The Bate stuff a nice touch to set us up going forward.
10-9 NXT - 20-18 NXT
Omega/Janela vs Forgotten Sons/Breezango & Scott
JCH:Both these matches were strolling along both fine before kicking into action. Omega and Janela upped the tempo for the closing stretch and in NXT it was the introduction of the man formerly known as Shane Strickland that made this into something. Scott is by far my favourite out of all seven of these guys, but Kenela did enough to get a draw here. Also, as a knee to the face connoisseur, this was the time where I finally saw some great knees from Kenneth. Two matches that really peaked at the right time for me.
10-10 - 30-28 NXT
Brum:Even with the appearance of Swerve, I cannot give a segment to the blandest kids at a Trump rally, The Forgotten Sons. If the Janela Omega match was as good as their one on AEW Dark last week, this would be a 10-8. Still a clear win for AEW though.
10-9 AEW. - 29-28 AEW
Matt:This time I am siding with AEW. Kenny and Janela putting on a really sharp and enjoyable 10/12-minute match here that did a similar job to what Riddle/Grimes achieved on NXT. The Tag on NXT was fun, but I can't imagine it staying in the memory long, despite some cool spots.
10-9 AEW - 29-28 NXT
Garza/Gallagher. Vs Bucks/Best Friends
JCH:These next two matches both had an extra element to them. NXT had Lio Rush on commentary. Now I don’t know if this was Lio Rush playing his character, but he literally sounded like he’d never seen Garza or Gallagher wrestle before. If it was character it was very believable, however the fact I’m not sure suggests it wasn’t faultless. In AEW Orange Cassidy was involved for…. reasons. Presumably as he’s really over and they have nothing for him to do. I like OC and the Bucks/BF match was stronger so a round to AEW
10-9 AEW - 39-38 - NXT
Brum:Tough one to judge here (as was last week’s Round 4). Chuckie T & Young Bucks brings me out in PWG happiness and was a decent match. I’m also pleased how AEW are using Cassidy – I like Freshly Squeezed as much as the next guy but was concerned that presenting his gimmick in singles matches could be problematic for a new company on a massive stage. However, using him as a manager works great as he can get his spots in without being the focus of the match. Garza & Gallagher are 2 wrestlers I love but the match didn’t completely click with me.
10-9 AEW. 39-37 AEW
Matt:Garza and Gallagher had a smart match, but I had a lot of fun with the tag. Maybe it was just Orange Cassidy making the most of his TV time. I think going forward though we could get a banger out of Rush/Garza if that's where we are going.
10-9 AEW - 38-38
Hayter/Baker vs Nox/Kai/Shafir/Duke
JCH:I am a huge Jamie Hayter fan, having watched her a lot in EVE. She carries herself like a big deal. Baker got a heroine’s reception in her hometown of Pittsburgh. I liked the Tooth variation on the Steelers logo she had on the back of her jacket. The match was fine, I’m not sure Baker is quite where they want her to be in the ring. Hayter on the other hand, I think could be huge. Over in NXT, Team Kick earns themselves a title shot with a comfortable win over Duke and Shafir, who are still growing into their roles in the ring. Teagan’s hot tag was great though and a fantastic shining wizard got the win. Neither match really stood out over the other for me so will go 10-10
10-10 - 49-48 - NXT
Brum:This is a match that reminds us that NXT is still a developmental brand too. Shafir & Duke have a long way to go (that’s not a diss, they just haven’t been training long) & their “Let’s Fight” / “Let’s Play” t-shirts annoy me to irrational levels. From a match point of view, Hayter vs Baker was definitely the better of the two & I hope Hayter is involved more as she did a good job. With that said, we got to see Team Kick as a proper tag team; find out the women’s tag titles will be on NXT next week in a match that should be an absolute banger; & get The Kabuki Warriors’ best heel promo to date. Even the adorable Kairi Sane looked like a killer. Those bits were enough to make this too close to call.
10-10. 49-47 AEW
Matt:This was extremely close. Britt vs Hayter was a showcase for Britt but the match felt competitive. The tag match was solid, and I like the Kai/Nox tandem. I would have this level, but I don’t believe in draws so I'll narrowly give this to AEW.
10-9 AEW - 48-47 AEW
Pac/Moxley vs Lee/Dijakovic/Strong
JCH:Jon Moxley does not a lot for me if I’m honest (and that is the fault of WWE). PAC on the other hand I think is great. They tried to up the stakes with the time limit stuff, but for me with the level these two are at it just screamed the match was going to a draw and saw me paying less attention than I should have been, but to be honest that is your job AEW. I bloody loved the NXT triple threat. Won’t go into massive detail but will just recommend people watch it. Have loved the Lee/Dijakovic rivalry and adding Roddy into the mix didn’t take away from it. It added a bit of freshness to a match that we have seen a few times recently. Absolute slam dunk win for NXT to me. Really considered a 10-8 but that may be me not being a Moxley guy.
10-9 NXT - 59-57 NXT
Brum: The main events of both shows were great this week. It’s rare that I would say a PAC Moxley match is the weaker of the two, but that’s the case tonight. The Dijakovic Lee feud has been a blast since its PWG days but throwing Roddy in made it even more delightful. Not only was this structured very well but the guys all did a great job (even though I thought they were all going to die on that mental Tower of Doom spot). Also, much love to NXT for a clean heel win (albeit sneaky).
10-9 NXT. 58-57 AEW
Matt:AEW put on a perfectly acceptable main event and I am a big fan of a draw if it is done correctly. Wasn't such a fan of PAC kicking out, but it is what it is. That triple threat was fantastic though. The two big guys cancelling each other out trying to be the best big slab of meat in NXT leaving a sneaky heel champion to pick his spot and retain. Wrestling perfection that.
NXT 10-9 - 57-57
Cody and the Gang/Inner Circle vs Era/Balor/Ciampa/Gargano
JCH:Two strong angles for me here. Cody was excellent and Jericho and the circle continued to be great bellends. I think Jericho is fantastic when he isn’t in matches over 15 minutes (and I’ll allow him to prove me wrong at Full Gear), his scarf line was fantastic. As was the use of said scarf to break the glass. Cracking little brawl around the upper deck. Over in NXT the Finn Balor turn was certainly a surprise. The Pele kick was fantastic to start it off. People have been saying he’s a bit bland for a while and this new attitude could change things around for him. Also, the hesitation dropkick into the barricade was superb.
10-10
A win for NXT for me and I think it was the better show, but again two strong shows. I think they both beat both of last week’s shows. Another enjoyable Thursday watching this.
69-67 NXT
Brum:JCH has been a right cheeky chappy tonight. I think moving the AEW segment up to be aligned with corresponding NXT segment makes thematical sense & is good as it compares apples with apples, but I think AEW fans will be going berserk on Bebo. Jericho was fantastic tonight again & who doesn’t pop for DDP? The star of the show though was Cody avec MJF’s scarf. What a great visual.
But there is only one winner. That final NXT segment was hotter than Rowdy’s Rod. I, like most, thought the “My Future Will Be My Past” line from last week referred to NXT. Did it fuck. The mad bastard was talking about Prince Devitt. Fuck me, this was ace. He did the finger gun points & everything. And it looks like he’s going to fight Gargano. Please give me 5 minutes whilst I compose myself. This would be a 10-8 most weeks but the AEW segment was good enough to maintain its dignity.
10-9 NXT
We end in a draw at 67-67 for a second week running! If I had to pick one show it would be NXT just for the main event & that incredible postscript. Wrestling is ace.
67-67
Matt:The AEW angle was really fun. DDP getting a mad pop, the scarf over the hand to smash the glass followed by the brawl and then Jericho making me crease all made this a great segment. But, Balor as a heel is something I think he has needed for a long time to make him interesting. People love him and there is an argument that they could have ran him as a face for a while before this but it's undeniable that this was as good a cliff-hanger as a wrestling show can leave you with. Just for the possibilities NXT left me with I'll give it to them.
10-9 AEW
I surprised myself
67-66 NXT
Week 3 is in the books and NXT is on the board. With actually the most convincing win of the series so far. Not quite a first unanimous victory though.
Overall scorecard
NXT by majority decision - 1
Majority Draw - 1
AEW by majority decision - 1
Individual Scorecards
JCH - NXT 2 - Draw - 1 - AEW 0
Brum - NXT 0 - Draw - 2 - AEW 1
Matt - NXT 1 - Draw - 0 - AEW 2
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